I Found You, Almost! -Thread One- [NTL PG143] - Page 68

"Shaun, this is not the right thing to do. I am a married woman now, and you had your chance. Don't you remember that it was you who broke up with me. I am over you Shaun, and I want you to never pursue me ever.."

She punctuated every word to her own ears as she stepped out of his embrace.

"Why are you doing this when you know that you don't love him? You love me, Khushi. I am the one for you, not that Raizada.."

"Then, you are late Shaun. And I cant break my promise to Arnav.."

"But, baby, you don't love him, why are you ruining your love for him?"

I'll learn to love him. And I know he is the one for me.."

***

Arnav searched her face for any kind of tension but there were none other than the sadness that emanated from her. She struggled to contain her tears as soon as the vehicle left from Gomti Sadan. Arnav watched her brutally clutch her lehenga with her henna clad hands. She stared at her lap while Arnav tried to calm his breaths.

"You are such a good actress Khushi. I should have known."

His words made her look up at him. His eyes were a shade of dark as she met his gaze.

"What's wrong with you now? I've agreed to your conditions and sacrificing my life for you and your family. And all you could do is taunting me with your hurtful words?"

"Talking to Mother Teresa am I?"

He mocked and looked away. Khushi stared at him long and hard but he had his eyes glued to the windscreen.

"Why do you hate me so much? I am just trying to ease the tension between us, be friendly with you.."

"Ask it to yourself Khushi"

***

Khushi looked at the arrangements Ratna had done inside the house. The whole Sheesh Mahal was thrumming with happiness, she felt it all, as she walked inside the house with her husband. His stony gaze puzzled her further as they crossed the threshold. Arnav was been asked to carry her in his arms, but he refused to do so. He made a lame excuse of back pain and his mother trusted him enough with his words. If only she knew the real reason behind his denial, Khushi thought kicking the rice bowl. She was supposed to be praying for a blissful married life, but all she could think about was his hurtful words and his accusing eyes.

Why was he the way he was?

Khushi was been taken to Arnav's bedroom which was heavily decorated with flowers and fairylights like the house itself. She faked a smile at Ratna who had accompanied her inside the room and left. Khushi stood in the middle of the empty room, her eyes caught the photographs of Arnav from the day he was born. She walked around, looking at the pictures and then his favorite records, and books. Everything was been kept neat and clean and there was a different aura about the room itself, just like Arnav himself. She thought caressing one of the wooden vases.

"Sleep when you are done with the tour.."

His voice made her almost jump out of her skin. He had already changed into his night clothes and now slipped inside the comforter, completely ignoring her presence. She stood there for a moment or so. Her throat felt parched as she struggled to contain her tears.

"Why are you behaving like this? You do know that I have left my whole family to be a part of yours.."

"What do you expect from me Khushi after what I have.."

He stopped mid sentence his hands fisting on the comforter.

"After what?"

She asked confused at his words while he remained silent.

"Get some sleep Khushi, I don't have all night to chat with you.."

Khushi stomped towards the cupboard to change into her night clothes. She found the whole cupboard filled with her clothes. And there was huge stack full of new clothes of her size. She turned to his side and found him already fast asleep.

"What are you?"

She asked looking at his sleeping form and then left for the bathroom.

"Your lover..I truly wish I was.."

He whispered staring at the ceiling.

***

Khushi opened her heavy eyelids. The sunrays almost blanked her eyes for a moment or so. She could not sleep a blink while her husband was unaware of her thoughts last night. She was missing her family and he did not even make any effort to lessen her burdens. She still remembered the way he had stared at her when she was roaming around his room, which was no theirs. Her throats constricted with something similar to sadness but she brushed it off. She sat up on the bed, and yawned stretching her arms wide. She looked around and found the room empty. There was no sign of Arnav neither he was next to her on the bed. She slowly got up from the bed and entered inside the bathroom to freshen up.

Once she got back, she found a hot cup of coffee placed on the nightstand along with some chocolate cookies. She smiled and took the cup from the stand.

She checked her phone for texts and found none from her family number. She sighed and threw the phone back onto the pillow. Someone knocked on the glass door and Khushi opened the same, plastering a smile on her face.

"Good morning Khushi.

It was Ratna, she was smiling widely at Khushi, while her hands had a plate of Aarti and sweets. Khushi bent and touched her feet for blessings.

"Khush raho"

She whispered side hugging her daughter in law.

"Follow me to my room, will you? I have got something that I should be passing to you.."

Khushi finished her coffee in lightening speed and grabbed two cookies from the plate. They entered inside Ratna's room and Khushi hurriedly went to the huge dressing table. It was been beautifully carved wooden table with antique designs. Khushi smiled widely when Ratna came behind her, holding a small wooden box in her hands.

"Ye kya hai?"

Khushi asked touching the mahogany wood of the same. Ratna held one of her hand and walked towards the bed. She sat and gestured Khushi to sit next to her.

"This is our ancestral jewellery which Maa ji had passed me when I came as a new bride to this house. I still remember the way Arjun had slipped these two bangles into my hands. One of the best moments of my life which I will cherish forever and ever.

Khushi smiled looking at Ratna's calm and serene face when she talked about her beloved husband. She wished she would be able to develop same feelings for Arnav one day.

Ratna placed the box into Khushi's hands and lovingly patted her hair.

"Thank you Maa ji. I will ask Arnav to do the honor. But, where is he?"

Khushi asked hesitantly her eyes unfocused. This is going to be the last time I would be getting this treatment form you Raizada. She thought inwardly. She deserved to know where he had left, after all she was his wife for god's sake.

"He left early. He said he had an early meeting to attend. Besides, there wont be much time for him before you both leave for Bali. He has got everything planned Khushi. I hope you have a great time there.."

Ratna said hugging Khushi and Khushi hugged her back a little confusedly.

"Honeymoon?"

She said aloud and Ratna playfully slapped her hands.

"Khushi, tum bhi na.."

She blushed to every possible root while Khushi bid a hasty bye to her mother in law and left from there.

"If last night was my wedding night with my husband, I seriously wonder how our honeymoon's going to be.."

***

Song: Clarity

Artist: Zedd

***

I know I have used few lines of this song before in this FF. But, I think the exact situation just arrived to use the full song.

I hope you all like the chapter.

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And if you are interested, do read the note below.

Love

J